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Biodiesel => Biodiesel equipment => Topic started by: bertle on April 24, 2013, 09:07:00 PM

Title: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: bertle on April 24, 2013, 09:07:00 PM
I was persuaded to make these for two brewers. They have double cone bottoms for indirect heating and an inspection hatch in the top. Twin 110lpm pumps each running an educator with a venturi on one pump. They have a sight gauge port suction side of the pump, a 1/2" socket for a temp gauge and a tube to put a thermocouple in to run a pid. They also have in-line heaters. Everything made in stainless of course.
The venturies and educator supplied by a certain trumpet blower.

All in all they turned out quite nicely and two excited brewers turned up today, stuffed them in their cars and dashed off home to fit them up.


(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg248/bertle500/IMAG0258_zps27996e1a.jpg)
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: william crosby on April 24, 2013, 09:31:46 PM
very nice work they will be proud of them
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Glycer-rides on April 24, 2013, 09:32:41 PM
Those are total reactor porn.
Nice work indeed.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Head Womble on April 24, 2013, 10:11:49 PM
Umm, shiny.

Very nice.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Jamesrl on April 24, 2013, 10:59:56 PM
Nice to know my double skinned cone design is appreciated, Nice job Andrew.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Julian on April 24, 2013, 11:42:59 PM
Impressive ... pump mounts are a clever design.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Rotary-Motion on April 25, 2013, 06:03:37 AM
uber sexy. nice job

what would the volume of water be in the cone skin?

what ltrs are the main tanks?
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: 1958steveflying on April 25, 2013, 05:21:10 PM
uber sexy. nice job

what would the volume of water be in the cone skin?

what ltrs are the main tanks?

Main tanks just under 500L  not sure on cone water volume yet.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Head Womble on April 25, 2013, 05:25:33 PM
uber sexy. nice job

what would the volume of water be in the cone skin?

what ltrs are the main tanks?

Main tanks just under 500L  not sure on cone water volume yet.

Are you one of the lucky owners Steve ?
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: K.H on April 25, 2013, 06:31:57 PM
uber sexy. nice job

what would the volume of water be in the cone skin?

what ltrs are the main tanks?

Main tanks just under 500L  not sure on cone water volume yet.

Are you one of the lucky owners Steve ?
If he is, my moneys on Nathan been the other ;D
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Jamesrl on April 25, 2013, 06:42:21 PM

If he is, my moneys on Nathan been the other ;D

The odds would be veeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry short on that one.

I know who the other one is but I'm not going to tell you it's Nathan, you'll have to keep guessing.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Rotary-Motion on April 25, 2013, 07:27:40 PM
who is it then? lol  ;D
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: bertle on April 25, 2013, 07:58:18 PM
Well that's that cat out the bag then! I couldn't possibly say who the other one is for but I had to move centrifuges out of his boot to get the processor in.......
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: nathanrobo on April 25, 2013, 10:12:53 PM
Somebody mention my name?   

Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: 1958steveflying on April 26, 2013, 12:19:04 AM
uber sexy. nice job

what would the volume of water be in the cone skin?

what ltrs are the main tanks?

Main tanks just under 500L  not sure on cone water volume yet.



Are you one of the lucky owners Steve ?

Oh yes... old one is out in the rain already ! ! !    I am not saying who the other lucky owner is !
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Jamesrl on April 26, 2013, 03:51:40 PM
old one is out in the rain already

That's no way to treat it after it served you well for years.

Will it be going to a good home or the or the big Bio plant resting place in the sky?
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: 1958steveflying on April 26, 2013, 06:19:59 PM
old one is out in the rain already

That's no way to treat it after it served you well for years.

Will it be going to a good home or the or the big Bio plant resting place in the sky?

It may be out in the rain Jim but it is under a cover, I will strip off the insulation when I get a chance and by then I will know if I have room to re-home it for dewatering etc. it is fully functional still so if I don't need it I will put it up for grabs on here before Eblag.  It has done me proud.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: bertle on April 26, 2013, 08:41:43 PM
My processor stands out in the rain 24/7, even when it is processing, as you know Steve.
Treat it mean keep it keen that's what I say!
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Jamesrl on April 26, 2013, 08:56:59 PM
My processor stands out in the rain 24/7, even when it is processing, as you know Steve.
Treat it mean keep it keen that's what I say!

No No No, that's how you're supposed to treat women, reactors are far more valuable.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: bertle on April 26, 2013, 09:00:19 PM
My processor stands out in the rain 24/7, even when it is processing, as you know Steve.
Treat it mean keep it keen that's what I say!

No No No, that's how you're supposed to treat women, reactors are far more valuable.

Nah they must be female, you think everything is ok, all tickedy boo then when your guard is down they throw a wobbly!
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: greasemonkey on April 26, 2013, 10:05:35 PM
Two very pretty looking processors. Can't see much will ever go wrong with them for many years. Nice engineering.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: nathanrobo on April 28, 2013, 09:51:32 PM
Two very pretty looking processors. Can't see much will ever go wrong with them for many years. Nice engineering.

Superbly built.  Really pleasing!
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: K.H on April 28, 2013, 10:02:05 PM
Two very pretty looking processors. Can't see much will ever go wrong with them for many years. Nice engineering.

Superbly built.  Really pleasing!
Praise indeed coming from you with your "set up" standards
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: nathanrobo on April 28, 2013, 10:05:51 PM
Two very pretty looking processors. Can't see much will ever go wrong with them for many years. Nice engineering.

Superbly built.  Really pleasing!
Praise indeed coming from you with your "set up" standards

Mate don't know what  you are talking about :-)
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: nathanrobo on April 29, 2013, 11:45:18 AM
Trying to work out the expansion of oil from cold (15 deg c?) to 70 deg C.  to figure positioning of eductors.

The tank is 500.9 to the top of the inspection opening, 491.1 litres to the top welded seam, 435.21 excluding cone, 56 litres in the cone and 4.3 litres for every 10mm. 

Based on 380 litre batches and  18% meth x 90% for the first reaction (61.56 Litres) plus a bit for KOH?? Plus a bit for expansion??  So any ideas as to how much volume the 7 grams x 380 litres of KOH adds to 67 litres of meth? 

So far the best I can see ref the thermal expansion coefficient for oil is 1 deg for every 14 deg c increase - is this correct? This being the case I would expect to see 3.93% expansion between the values above would be about 15 litres or apprx 35mm?  or about 80mm below the level of the top welded seam?  If this is correct so far, I just need to add in for the KOH - any ideas?
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: photoman290 on April 29, 2013, 08:09:35 PM
i think as long as they are below the correct position there are fine. you don't want them too high up according to a certain trumpeter, too low is not a problem.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: nathanrobo on April 29, 2013, 09:29:59 PM
i think as long as they are below the correct position there are fine. you don't want them too high up according to a certain trumpeter, too low is not a problem.

Cool!  Thanks mate - I'll have to have a chat with the big trumpet - He made them after all (1" single stage)
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: nathanrobo on May 05, 2013, 02:05:31 AM
Practically finished my shiny new toy.  Moved it out of the garage into my nearly built shed.  The inline heater has been configured with a Grunfos pump, I've water tested the double cone, wired up the heater element and water pump :-) Just need to fit the condenser and wire the 2 x 110lpm pumps and we're ready to go with the first batch.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Rotary-Motion on May 05, 2013, 08:02:02 AM
Practically finished my shiny new toy.  Moved it out of the garage into my nearly built shed.  The inline heater has been configured with a Grunfos pump, I've water tested the double cone, wired up the heater element and water pump :-) Just need to fit the condenser and wire the 2 x 110lpm pumps and we're ready to go with the first batch.

nice one nathan keep us updated, with pics too  8)
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: nathanrobo on May 05, 2013, 09:14:27 PM
Will do!  Got the lintels on the french doors to the shed today along with a few more courses of bricks and blocks on the inner leaf.  As soon as I get tidied up, I'll take some pics.

Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: bertle on May 05, 2013, 10:05:41 PM
Will do!  Got the lintels on the french doors to the shed today along with a few more courses of bricks and blocks on the inner leaf.  As soon as I get tidied up, I'll take some pics.

I have got a set of "how it was made" photos to post up at some point.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Julian on May 05, 2013, 10:20:51 PM
I think the wiki would benefit from a few "members processor build" pages ... if you fancy a go.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: bertle on May 06, 2013, 10:39:05 AM
Probably a bit beyond the average home builders equipment, you will see what I mean when I put the piccies up.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Jamesrl on May 06, 2013, 04:46:01 PM
Probably a bit beyond the average home builders equipment, you will see what I mean when I put the piccies up.

Not beyond my equipment matey.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: 1958steveflying on May 06, 2013, 04:52:31 PM
Probably a bit beyond the average home builders equipment, you will see what I mean when I put the piccies up.

Not beyond my equipment matey.

Are you an average home builder Jim ?
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Jamesrl on May 06, 2013, 04:56:47 PM
Probably a bit beyond the average home builders equipment, you will see what I mean when I put the piccies up.

Not beyond my equipment matey.

Are you an average home builder Jim ?

Of course I am, I used to build plants at home before I moved.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: bertle on May 06, 2013, 08:17:29 PM
What I was trying to say was that the "how I did it" pictures show the use of lots of expensive equipment not available to the average home builder, and as such are not representative of how it could be done in your garage. I think most people would struggle to deal with 2mm stainless sheet and 1" nominal bore stainless pipe bending. I was only offering it up as a point of interest for others. If someone wants to put it on the wiki feel free.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Jamesrl on May 06, 2013, 08:19:23 PM
What I was trying to say was that the "how I did it" pictures show the use of lots of expensive equipment not available to the average home builder, and as such are not representative of how it could be done in your garage. I think most people would struggle to deal with 2mm stainless sheet and 1" nominal bore stainless pipe bending. I was only offering it up as a point of interest for others. If someone wants to put it on the wiki feel free.

Aha! a bite, gotcha.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: bertle on May 06, 2013, 09:04:47 PM
Here you go.
First off cutting the developed flat patterns for the cones on the laser, complete with etching the bend lines on.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg248/bertle500/IMAG0216_zps3a042b94.jpg)


(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg248/bertle500/IMAG0219_zps9ff05f59.jpg)


(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg248/bertle500/IMAG0214_zpsa0960070.jpg)


[imghttp://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg248/bertle500/IMAG0215_zps2de02a57.jpg]http://[/img]

Pressing the cones (not me, I was taking the pictures).


(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg248/bertle500/IMAG0220_zpsedca1c62.jpg)


(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg248/bertle500/IMAG0221_zpsd7388a69.jpg)


Rolling the main tank bodies


(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg248/bertle500/IMAG0213_zps2199fb09.jpg)


A spot of TIG welding

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg248/bertle500/IMAG0222_zps4216b26c.jpg)

Main body, inner cone and extension to take the outer cone

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg248/bertle500/IMAG0223_zps3f627c1e.jpg)

And with the second cone on

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg248/bertle500/IMAG0224_zps0c92c218.jpg)

And there you go pumps on, legs on and plumbed up. The venturi has now been moved up the pipe due to popular demand.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg248/bertle500/IMAG0257_zpsaf3df60e.jpg)
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Jamesrl on May 06, 2013, 09:17:33 PM
I gotta ask Andrew, why 2mm?
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: nathanrobo on May 06, 2013, 09:19:14 PM
That's very very cool machinery that you get to play with all day... soooo jealous ;-)
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Jamesrl on May 06, 2013, 09:22:54 PM
That's very very cool machinery that you get to play with all day... soooo jealous ;-)

He don't play wiv'm, he gets others to do that and just stands there taking piccies.

THEN he says Look what I'VE made.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: greasemonkey on May 06, 2013, 09:31:08 PM
Oh Boy! Some serious kit there.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: K.H on May 06, 2013, 09:42:01 PM
I never ever want to see your VW!  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: bertle on May 06, 2013, 09:55:50 PM
I made them out of 2 mm for several reasons. Firstly we are talking about a 500L free standing vessel which is not to be taken lightly. I could have done then 1.5 mm but I would have wanted compensating plates on the leg mounts and pipe entries. Also the cones are welded on corner to corner, which would not be as easy in 1.5 and you might start thinking about putting a spun edge on to compensate. The cost difference in material is not that great and the result is a stronger, easier to make tank which ultimately if you have the gear is quicker to make in 2mm than 1.5 mm.
As for getting other people to do the work I can assure you I can and indeed did do them. I got my cousin to help out as we made 2 of them there was a lot to do so I employed a little help. My actual job is running the machine shop and writing the programmes for the cnc machines so my fabrication and welding is quite good for a machinest don't you think?
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Julian on May 06, 2013, 10:21:01 PM
Hmm, well, I have got one of the machines pictured in my garage ... just a little smaller ... well a lot smaller and without a motor pretty lights and paintwork.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Head Womble on May 06, 2013, 10:34:39 PM
Hmm, well, I have got one of the machines pictured in my garage ... just a little smaller ... well a lot smaller and without a motor pretty lights and paintwork.

It's called a hammer  ;D

Our Jim has one too.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: K.H on May 06, 2013, 10:35:52 PM
Hmm, well, I have got one of the machines pictured in my garage ... just a little smaller ... well a lot smaller and without a motor pretty lights and paintwork.

It's called a hammer  ;D

Our Jim has one too.
Is he competent enough to use one?
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Julian on May 06, 2013, 11:31:14 PM
Hmm, well, I have got one of the machines pictured in my garage ... just a little smaller ... well a lot smaller and without a motor pretty lights and paintwork.

It's called a hammer

Our Jim has one too.

A hammer with lights ... I'll have a bottle of what ever you're drinking.

Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Jamesrl on May 07, 2013, 11:12:05 AM


A hammer with lights ...

I have various tools with lasers and work lights as standard, levels, saws, drills etc etc so I fitted a laser and work light to me 'lectric 'hammer, I can now bash fings very accurately AND in total darkness.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: bertle on May 07, 2013, 08:43:58 PM


A hammer with lights ...

I have various tools with lasers and work lights as standard, levels, saws, drills etc etc so I fitted a laser and work light to me 'lectric 'hammer, I can now bash fings very accurately AND in total darkness.

That sounds usefull, I am often working in the dark, communication at work is often lacking!
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: nathanrobo on June 10, 2013, 05:54:42 PM
Hmm thinking about stainless tanks to replace my dryer / dispenser for finished fuel and dewatering / filter tank for feedstock.

Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Jamesrl on June 10, 2013, 07:05:15 PM
Hmm thinking about stainless tanks to replace my dryer / dispenser for finished fuel and dewatering / filter tank for feedstock.

FFS Naff'n, when some arceothingy digs your house up in a zillion years them friggin' tanks'll still be there they'll never work out what they're for though.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Jonzeyboy43 on June 10, 2013, 09:57:05 PM
I am sure I missed something somewhere, what is the purpose of the water jacket cone?
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Head Womble on June 10, 2013, 09:59:16 PM
Indirect heating, hot water is pumped around the water jacket.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: nathanrobo on June 10, 2013, 10:10:12 PM
Hmm thinking about stainless tanks to replace my dryer / dispenser for finished fuel and dewatering / filter tank for feedstock.

FFS Naff'n, when some arceothingy digs your house up in a zillion years them friggin' tanks'll still be there they'll never work out what they're for though.

They'll think that they're time capsules :-)

Btw mate could you sort out a tank with 1" nipple on the cone, female boss for 3kw heater, 1/2" female boss for temp gauge on legs (metal) etc.  Let me know when it's ready, it's for a mate in St Ives (the one near you).
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: Jamesrl on June 10, 2013, 10:59:18 PM
Hmm thinking about stainless tanks to replace my dryer / dispenser for finished fuel and dewatering / filter tank for feedstock.

FFS Naff'n, when some arceothingy digs your house up in a zillion years them friggin' tanks'll still be there they'll never work out what they're for though.

They'll think that they're time capsules :-)

Btw mate could you sort out a tank with 1" nipple on the cone, female boss for 3kw heater, 1/2" female boss for temp gauge on legs (metal) etc.  Let me know when it's ready, it's for a mate in St Ives (the one near you).

You've got a mate?

That there St Ives is a hotbed of dio bieselers.
Title: Re: 2 off 500L stainless processors
Post by: nathanrobo on June 11, 2013, 12:55:08 AM

[/quote]

That there St Ives is a hotbed of dio bieselers.
[/quote]

You should know better than most... there's a brewer on practically every corner in this fair land